Subsurface well tool releasable lock devices



April 23, 1963 sUBsURFAcE WELL Toon RELEASABLE LOCK DEVICES Filed Ju1y'14, 1961 Ifo. l.

J. D. KEITHAHN 3,086,594

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fig/000 IN VEN TOR.

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April 23, 1963 J. D. KEITHAHN 3,086,594

sUBsURFAcE vWELL Tool. RELEASABLE Loox DEVICES Filed July 14, 1961 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. rUL/,Q/v D, KEW/#MN 55 BY rraRA/EYS United States Patent O 3,086,594 SUBSURFACE WELL TOL RELEASABLE LOCK DEVICES Julian D. Keithahn, Houston, Tex., assiguor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed July 14, 1961, Ser. No. 124,209 14 Claims. (Cl. 16d-226) The present invention relates to well tools embodying lock devices for controlling the operation of the Well tools while disposed in well bores.

Some subsurface well tools are operated in well bores by moving parts of the tools with respect to one an-y other. A releasable lock device is incorporated in such tools -to either prevent or permit relative movement of the parts. Some lock devices, such as those of the J-slot and pin type, are released by turning the tubular string, by which the tool is lowered in the well bore, in

one direction and are reengaged or recoupled by turning the tubular string in the opposite direction. Inasmuch as the tubular string usually consists of tubular joints secured together by right-hand threaded connections, turning of the tubular string to the left is not desirable, since it might result in unthreading of a connection between adjacent joints. In addition, turning of the tubular string might result in inadvertent actuation of other parts of the tool, or of another tool to which it might be connected.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved subsurface well tool adapted to be lowered in a well bore on a tubular string and incorporating a releasable lock device for controlling operation of the well tool, the lock device being adapted to be shifted from one controlling condition to anther condition without the necessity for turning or rotating the tubular string, as to the left.

Another object of the invention is to provide a subsurface well tool adapted to be lowered in a well bore on a tubular string and incorporating a releasable lock device for controlling operation of the well tool, the lock device including a slotted groove and a companion piu or dog adapted to be selectively positioned in such groove to place the device in a locked condition, or removed from the groove to place the device in an unlocked condition, shifting of the device from one of such conditions to the other condition being secured without the necessity for turning the tubular string. More speeltically, the device might be placed in an unlocked condition -as the result of turning the tubular string to the right, but no turning to the left, or even to the right, is necessary to return the device to its lock-ed condition.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in lthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present speciiication. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined -by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-section lthrough a subsurface Well tool embodying the invention and incorporating a lock device disposed in its locked condition;

FIG. 2 is van enlarged longitudinal section through a portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 3-3 on FIG. l, illustrating the lock device in its locked condition,

3,086,594 Patented Apr. 23, 1963 FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 illustrating the device in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 5 is a combined side elevational View and longitudinal section through the Well tool illustrated in FIG. l, with the tool unlocked and having been .actuated to place the tool parts in another condition;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the lock portion of the tool, with the parts in a locked condition;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the tool in an unlocked condition.

The well tool A illustrated in the drawings embodies a lock device adapted to control operation of the tool. Speciiically, the well tool is a valve apparatus having a passage that can be either opened or closed. It is 4to be understood, however, that the lock device forming part of the present invention can control relative movement between well tool parts generally, and is not limited in its application to the specic valve apparatus illustrated, or, for that matter, to any valve apparatus.

As shown in the drawings, the valve apparatus A is adapted to be secured to a lower end of a tubular string B, such as drill pipe or tubing, extending to the top of a well bore. The apparatus includes an inner tubular mand-rel 16 having an upper threaded end 11 threadedly secured to a collar 12 forming the lower end of the tubular string B. The .tubular mandrel consists of an upper section 13 threadedly secured within a lower section 14,' which has a lower valve seat 15 engageable by an up- `wardly movable valve head 16 to close the central passage 17 through the mandrel. This valve head is care ried by the tubular mandrel 10, being secured to a fulcrum pin 18 rotatably or pivotally carried on a supporting leg 19 depending from the lower portion of the mandrel section 14 and welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

The pivoted valve head or apper valve member 16 may swing relatively downwardly completely to one side of the central passage 17 through the mandrel 10 to lavoid obstructing it when in an open condition. When the valve head 16 moves relatively upwardly, it is dispo-sed in engagement with the valve seat 15 at the lower end of the mandrel 10. To insure against leakage between the valve seat 15 and the valve head, the latter may be provided with a rubber or rubber-like seal ring 20 which is engagea-ble with and is adapted to seal against the transverse valve seat face 15 at the lower end ot the mandrel.

The mandrel 10, its depending supporting leg 19, and Iiapper valve head 16 are telescopically disposed within an outer housing 21. This housing includes a cylinder portion 22 which is slidably engaged by an annular piston 23 at the upper end of the lower mandrel section 14, the cylinder portion being threadedly secured to an upper housing member 24 adapted to slidably engage the upper section `13 of the mandrel above the piston 23. Fluid is prevented from leaking in an upward direction between the upper housing member 24 and the upper mandrel section 13 by a suitable seal ring 25 on the mandrel section slidably engaging the inner surface 26 of the upper housing section. Similarly, uid leakage between the piston 23 and the wall 27 of the cylinder 22 is prevented by a suitable seal ring 28 mounted on the piston and slidably Vengaging the cylinder wall.

Fluid under pressure is capable of passing from the central mandrel or passage 17 through one or more ports 29 provided through the mandrel 10 into an annular cylinder space 30 above the annular piston 23 and defined between a reduced diameter portion 31 of the upper mandrel section 13 and the outer housing 21. In this connection, it is to be noted that the upper portion 32 of the cylinder has a lesser internal diameter than the cylinder wall 27 to provide a shoulder 33 engaged by the piston 23, to

apanage limit upward telescopic movement of the mandrel 'lll within the surrounding housing 21. Also disposed in the annular space 39 between the mandrel 1t) and the housing 21, and primarily within the reduced diameter portion or circumferential groove 31 of the lower mandrel section 13 is a portion of the control or lock device 35 incorporated in the well tool A.

The lower portion of the housing 21 is constituted by a ylower head 36 threadedly secured to the lower part of the cylinder 22, this lower head having a suitable connection (not shown) at its lower end for securing the well tool A to a lower device or tool (not shown), which may, for example, be a well packer capable of being anchored in packed-off condition against a well casing in which the apparatus is used.

Movement of the valve head 16 between open and closed positions is secured by the telescopic movement of the mandrel with respect to the outer housing 21. As the mandrel moves upwardly and downwardly within the outer housing, it carries the ilapper valve member 16 with it, inasmuch as the latter is secured on the fulcrum pin 18 mounted on the supporting leg 19 attached to the lower mandrel member 14. The relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel `1) and the outer housing 2-1 enables the valve to be shifted to opened position positively and held in such position positively. The positive shifting of the valve head to open position is accomplished upon relative upward movement of the mandrel 10 within the outer housing 21 by causing a cam member, in the form of a sleeve 40' secured to the outer housing 21, to engage and shift the valve head 16 to open position.

As specically disclosed and described in United States Patent 2,853,265, and as shown to some extent in the present drawings, the cam sleeve 40 extends only partway around the entire circumference of the apparatus, its internal diameter being slightly greater than the external diameter of the lower mandrel portion 14, to allow the latter to slide thereinto. The cam sleeve is cut away on opposite sides of the supporting leg 19 that depends from the lower mandrel portion 14 to provide an arcuate space into which the leg 19 and head 16 can project and move downwardly and upwardly along the cam sleeve 4t) and its end surfaces 41. The end surfaces of the cam sleeve are only present in the upper portion of the latter, being adapted to engage the sealing face 42 of the valve head 16 and hold the latter in its open position completely out of the path of the uid moving through the mandrel 10 and the lower head passage 43. From the longitudinal holding surfaces `41, the cam sleeve has downwardly and inwardly directed inclined cam surfaces 44 that are engageable with the sealing face 42 of the valve head to shift it to open position as the mandrel 10 moves upwardly relative to the housing 21 and the sleeve 46 secured thereto. These cam surfaces 44 terminate in a transverse shoulder l45 provided by a bore l46 of the sleeve below the cam surfaces of larger diameter than the bore 47 of the sleeve 40 irrimediately thereabove.

When the valve head '16 is disposed within this enlarged diameter portion 46, it can engage the valve seat at the lower end of the mandrel 10. When in this closed position, the lower surface 48 of the valve head rests upon a supporting shoulder 49 provided on the sleeve, this shoulder extending partway around the axis of the apparatus and engaging the valve head at its peripheral marginal portion, as disclosed in FIG. 5. The valve head 16 itself has a substantially greater diameter than the outside diameter of the lower peripheral portion of the mandrel valve seat 15, in order that the marginal portion of the inner face of the valve head is capable of engaging the cam sur-face surfaces 44 on the sleeve 40 to be shifted thereby to open position.

The guide or cam sleeve 40 is composed of two main parts, the longitudinal or holding surfaces 41 and the cam surfaces 44 being engageable with the valve head 16. The portions of the valve sleeve opposite the valve head 16 are spaced apart to provide a region or slot 50 into which an aligned leg 51, secured to the lower mandrel section 14, can shift. This aligned leg will always extend below the upper end of the sleeve 40, the leg being in slidable engagement with the sides of the slot 50 to locate the valve head 16 in appropriate position with respect to the cam and holding surfaces 44, 41.

The guide sleeve 40 is secured against longitudinal movement with respect to the outer housing 21, but is rotatable relative thereto. This relationship and yaction is secured through use of a Swivel type of connection 55 between the lower end of the guide sleeve 4t) and the lower housing member or head 36. The swivel connection consists of a two-piece swivel ring 56, the outer portion of which is engageable with the inner wall 57 of the lower housing member or cylinder 22, and which has upper and lower inwardly directed flanges 5S disposed within companion external grooves 59 in the lower housing member 36 and guide sleeve 40. The lower end of the guide sleeve 40 may rest upon the upper end of the lower housing member or head 36. Because of the swivel connection 55, the mandrel 10 may be moved upwardly and downwardly within the outer housing 21 without securing corresponding longitudinal movement of the guide sleeve 40. However, rotation of the mandrel 1G will be transmitted to the guide sleeve 40 by virtue of the continued disposition of the aligning leg '51 in the slot 50. The mandrel 10' is rotated with respect to the outer housing 21 for the purpose of operating the lock device 35, as specifically described hereinbelow.

During upward movement of the mandrel 10 with respect to the housing 21, the valve head 16 is shifted along the sleeve `cam surfaces 44 to the position shown in FIG. 1, in which the valve head 16 is held in its fully opened position by the holding surfaces 41 of the upper end of the cam surfaces 44, these holding surfaces being substantially parallel to the axis ofthe apparatus. When the mandrel 10 is moved downwardly with respect to the housing 21, the valve head 16 is `shifted below the holding surfaces 41, then swinging inwardly until it occupies the horizontal position `disclosed in FIG. 5, with its lower surface 48 engaging the supporting shoulder 49 on the sleeve 40 and its upper sealing face 42, as well as its seal ring 20, rmly engaging the valve seat 1S at the lower end of the mandrel 10.

The valve apparatus can be releasably locked in a desired condition, as in the open condition disclosed in FIG. 1. The releasable lock 35 is placed in a released condition by turning the tubular string B in one direction, as to the right, but it is unnecessary to effect any turning of the tubular string to relock the apparatus. As noted above, the releasable lock is disclosed in conjunction with a valve apparatus for purpose of illustration. However, it has more general applications with respect to controlling relative movement between parts of subsurface well tools of various types.

As specifically illustrated by way of example in the drawings, the releasable lock includes a control pin 70 mounted in a radial opening 71 in the upper portion 32 of the lower housing member 22, this pin being movable within a -groove 72 in a control ring or member 73 movable arcuately in the grooved portion 31 of the mandrel 10 by a predetermined angular `distance relative to the mandrel. The control pin 70 is also movable along a longitudinal slot or groove 74 in the mandrel 10 above the control ring 73, this longitudinal slot being selectively lalignable with circumferentially separated entry openings 75, 76 in the ring 73 that lead into the circumferential lock .groove or slot 72 in the control ring. The mandrel 10 has a depending portion 77 through which the slot 74 extends, which is received in la space or ygap 73 in the upper portion of the control ring 73, the depending portion 76 terminating at longitudinal stop walls 79, 80 adapted to engage companion stop walls 81, 82 at the opposite ends of the gap or recess 78 in the Iupper portion of the control ring. The distance between the stop walls 79, 80

of the mandrel 'is substantially less than the vcircumferential or arcuate distance between the companion sto-p walls or `shoulders 81, 82 on the control ring, such that when one stop wall `81 on the control ring 73 engages a companion wall 79 on the mandrel, one of the entry openings 75 of the control ring is in alignment with the longitudinal slot 74. Relative shifting of the control ring or member 72farcuately on the mandrel 10 to bring its other stop wall l82 into engagement with the companion stop shoulder 80 on the mandrel will bring the other entry opening 76 of the control ring into alignment with the longitudinal mandrel slot 74. When these last-mentioned stop walls or shoulders 80, '82 are in engagement, as shown in FIG. 7, a bridge segment or cam member portion 84 of the control ring 7 3, which actually separates its two entry openings 75, 76 land the ends of the groove 72, is in alignment with that portion 85 of the periphery of the mandrel between the longitudinal slot 74 and the other stop Ishoulder 79. One wall 86 of the bridge piece 84y de- -ining the entry opening 76 is then in alignment with one wall 87, such as the right wall illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, of the longitudinal slot 74. When the control ring 73 has been shifted arcuately to its other position, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the other stop shoulders 79, -81 are coengaged, then the bridge segment or cam member 84 is disposed on the opposite side of the longitudinal slot 74 with its other longitudinal surface 8S in alignment with the other or left side 89 of the longitudinal slot 74.

The control ring or member 73 is normally urged to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the right longitudinal stop shoulders 81, 79 on the control ring and the mandrel 10 are engaged, the control ring being yieldably held in such position by a coil spring 90 encircling the mandrel 10 below the ring 7'3I and having its upper end 91 secured to the ring and its lower end 91a attached to a retainer ring or sleeve 92 encompassing the mandrel and suitably secured thereto, as by a :set `screw 93. The coil spring 90 permits the ring 73 to be shifted relatively on the mandrel 10 from the position illustrated in FIG. 6 to the right and to the position illustrated in FIG. 7. When the shifting force on the ring 73 is relieved, then the `coil spring 90 returns the control ring 73 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6.

The mandrel 10 is locked to the housing 21 by a look segment, shoe or dog 94 disposed in a generally radial slot or opening `95 in the upper portion 32 of the llower housing memiber or cylinder and disposed arcuately a short distance away from the `control pinv 70'. This lock segment or element 94 is urged in an inward direction by la helical compression spring 96, the outer end of which bears against an encompassing retainer ring or segment 97, the spring being disposed in a socket 98 in the lock element and bearing against the base portion of such socket. The retainer 97 also encompasses the control pin 7tl to insure its appropriate movement within the lock groove 72 and openings 75, 76 of the control ring 73, and along the longitudinal slot '74 of the mandrel 10. The lock segment 94 is adapted to move within the horizontal or circumferential lock lgroove 72 in the control ring and is shiftaole by the bridge piece or cam 84 in an outward direction when engaged therewith. To facilitate such shifting, an inner end portion 99 of the lock segment is tapered, so that the lock segment 94 is urged in an outward direction when engaged by the cam portion 34 of the control ring or member 73.

The lock segment 94 is adapted to be disposed within rthe horizontal lock groove 72 of the control ring 73, which will prevent relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel 10 and the outer housing 21, or it can be cammed outwardly by the cam element or bridge portion 84 of the control ring and will then lie upon the outer surface or periphery of the latter, which functions as a continuation of the periphery of the mandrel thereabove, which is also true of the periphery of the remainder of the control ring. When the lock segment 94 is disposed on the outer surface of the cam or bridge member 184, it is capable of sliding from such bridge member on to the periphery of the mandrel. The look Isegment is also capable of shifting lfrom the periphery of the mandrel over the peripheral surface of the control ring 73 back into the lock groove 72, as described hereinbelow.

In the oper-ation of the lock device 35, the control pin 70 and the look segment 94 can be disposed in substantially the position illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 6, in which the control pin 70 is in alignment with the right opening 75 (as seen in FIG. 6) of the control ring 73 and the segment 94 is disposed in the groove 72. At this time, the mandrel 10 and housing 21 are locked together to prevent their relative longitudinal movement, since longitudinal movement of the mandrel in either direction will be transmitted through the upper or lower wall of the circumferential lock groove 72 to the lock segment l94, which is secured to the housing against longitudinal movement relative thereto, although its radial movement is permitted. The parts are then in position .1 shown in FIG. 16. When it is desired to release the lock device 35, the tubular string B and the mandrel 10 are turned to the right. The housing 21 will not turn at this time, inasmuch as it is connected to another tool, such as a lower Well packer (not shown) anchored in packed-off condition in a well casing in which the apparatus has been lrun. Accordingly, the control pin 70 `and the lock segment 94 do not turn, but the mandrel 10, spring retainer 92, spring and control ring or member 73 can all turn as a unit, inasmuch =as the control pin and the lock segment are disposed in the circumferential groove 72. Such turning of the mandrel and the other parts connected thereto, including the control ring 73, can continue until the bridge portion or cam member 84 engages the lock segment 94 and cams it radially outwardly, and the left wall 86 of the cam member engages the control pin 70, at which time, the lock segment 94 will be disposed on the outer sur- Iface of the cam member 84 and the control pin 70 will lbe in alignment with the control ring opening 76, which is, in turn, in alignment with the longitudinal slot 74, the parts then occupying the position illustrated in FIG. 7 and designated as the 2 position therein. The mandrel 10 can now be moved longitudinally or lowered within the housing 21, the control pin 7i) moving relatively upwardly through the opening 76 and along the longitudinal slot 74, the lock segment 94 sliding along a surface of the cam member `84 of the control ring and along the surface of the periphery of the mandrel l0 therea'bove. The extent of movement in the specific tool illustrated is determined by the clamping of the valve head 16 between the valve seat 15 -at the lower end of the mandrel 10 and the supporting shoulder 49* on the cam sleeve 40, such as disclosed in FIG. 5. This corresponds to position 4 illustrated in FIG. 7:.

Before -the parts reach position 4, and, in fact, upon shifting of the control pin 70' and the lock segment 94 immediately above the control ring 73, the restraint to unwinding of `the coil spring 90 is removed, inasmuch as the control pin 7l) is no longer engaging the left wail 86 of the cam portion S4 of the control ring. Accordingly, the spring 99 immediately shifts the control ring V73 back to its original position, in which its right stop alignment with the right entry opening 75 in the control sleeve leading into the lock groove 72, and the bridge segment 84 i-s displaced circumferentially away from the 7 position of longitudinal alignment with the lock seg` ment 94 (FIG. 6).

Assuming the control pin 7G and the lock segment 94 to be in position 4, as shown in FIG. 7, it is unnecessary to rotate the tubular string B or mandrel 70 in either direction to relock the parts. All that is necessary is to move the mandrel upwardly within the housing 21, the control pin and lock Isegment moving downwardly from position 4 shown in FIG. 7 back to position l illustrated in FIG. 6. The control pin 76 moves relatively in a downward direction along the longitudinal slot 74 *back through the right opening 75 into the lock groove 72, the lock segment 94 sliding relatively downwardly along the periphery of the mandrel y and along the surface of the control ring 73 to the right side of the right entry opening 75 and into its groove 7-2, ybeing shifted into the lock groove 72 by the helical compression spring 96. Relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel -10 and housing 21 cannot occur again until the mandrel 10 is again turned to the right to place the control ring 73 in the relative position 1llustrated in FIG. 7, in which the cam 84 on the control ring has again cammed the lock segment 94 outwardly and has engaged the control pin '70, with the lock segment disposed on the outer `surface of the cam, which is position 2 in FIG. 7.

It is, accordingly, evident that a lock device has been provided which can be released by turning the mandrel in one direction only, as to `the right. Relocking of the device is not accompanied by any turning of the mandrel and of the tubular string connected thereto. It results simply by shifting the mandrel longitudinally. Inasmuch as the joints of the tubular string B are secured to one another by right-hand threaded connections, the turning of the `tubular string and the mandrel to the right does not tend to unscrew or loosen any of the joints. No left-hand turning at all is required with the particular device.

With the specific valve apparatus illustrated, the lock device holds it normally in an open position. It could, however, be employed to hold the valve device in the closed position, if desired. When the valve is to be closed, the tubular string B and mandrel 10 need merely be turned to the right to place the lock parts in position 2. in FIG. 7, whereupon the mandrel 1t) is lowered within the housing 21, as permitted by movement of the control pin 70 into and `along the longitudinal slot 74, the lock segment 94 sliding along the surface of the cam or bridge portion 84 and along the periphery of the mandrel to the No. 4 position. As soon as position 3 has been reached, the coil spring 9i) will shift the coritrol ring 73 back to its position illustrated in FIG. 6, in which upward movement of the mandrel 10 relative to the housing 21 will return the segment 94 back into the circumferential lock groove 72 and will relock the parts.

I claim:

l. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; control means angularly movable on one of said members and having an arcuate groove; lock means movable laterally on the other of said members into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit relative telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control means engageable with said lock; means in response to relative rotation between said members to shift said lock means laterally to prevent its entry into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; and means for shifting said control means angularly on` said one of said members to shift said cam means from longitudinal alignment with said lock means to allow reentry of said lock means into said groove upon relative tele- Vscopic movement between said members in the opposite direction.

2. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the top of the Well bore; control means angularly movable on one of said members and having an arcuate groove; lock means movable laterally on the other of said members into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit relative telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control means engageable with said lock means in response to relative rotation between said members to shift said lock means laterally to prevent its entry into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; means for shifting said control means angularly on said one of said members to shift said cam means from longitudinal alignment with said lock means to allow reentry of said lock means into said groove upon relative telescopic movement between said members in the opposite direction; and means for locating said cam means in a position holding said lock means from said groove.

3. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the Well bore; control means angularly movable on one of said members and having an arcuate groove; lock means movable laterally on the other of said members into and out or said groove to selectively prevent or permit relative telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control means engagcable with said lock means; means on said other member engaging said control means in response to relative rotation between said members to locate said cam means in engagement with said lock means after said cam means has engaged and shifted said lock means laterally to prevent its entry into said groove so as to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; and means for shifting said control means angularly on said one of said members to shift said cam means from longitudinal alignment with said lock means and to allow reentry of said lock means into said groove upon relative telescopic movement between said members in the opposite direction.

4. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; control means angularly movable on one of said members and having an arcuate groove; lock means movable laterally on the other of said members into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit relative telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control means engageable with said lock means in response to relative rotation between said members to shift said lock means laterally to prevent its cntry into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; and a spring engaging said control means and said one member for `angularly shifting said control means on said one of said members to shift said cam means from longitudinal alignment with said lock means and to allow re-entry of said lock means into said groove upon relative telescopic movement between said members in the opposite direction.

5. In apparat-us adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing said inner member to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; control means angularly movable on said inner member and having an arcuate groove; lock means movable laterally on said outer member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit relative telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control means engageable with said lock means in response to relative rotation between said members to shift said lock means longitudinally to prevent its entry into said groove and to permit r-elative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; and means for shifting said control means angularly on said inner mem ber to shift said cam means from longitudinal alignment with said lock means and to allow reentry of said lock means into said groove upon relative teiescopic movement between said members in the opposite direction.

6. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: first and second members telescopically arranged with re spect to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the topot the well bore; said rst member having a longitudinal slot; control means angularly movable on said irst member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longitudinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control means and iirst member for limiting angular movement of said control means on said first member to a position in which one opening or the other opening is aligned with said slot; a control element on said second member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said second member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on `said control means between said openings engageable with said lock means to shift said lock means laterally of said second member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said member-s in one direction; means for angularly turning said control means on said iirst member to align one of said openings with said slot and to allow movement of said control element from said slot into said groove and entry of said lock means into said groove; said control means being engageable with said control element upon relative rotation between said members land lateral shifting of said lock means by said cam means to align the other of said openings with said slot to allow movement of said control element from said groove into said slot.

7. ln apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: rst and second members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; said first member having a longitudinal slot; a control ring angularly movable on lsaid rst member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longitudinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control ring and iirst member for `limiting angular movement of said control ring on said rst member to a position in which one opening or the other opening is aligned with said slot; a control pin on said second member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said second member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control ring between said openings and the ends of said groove engageable with said lock means to shift said lock means laterally of said second member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; means for angularly turning said control ring on said first member to align one of said openings with said slot and to allow move ment of said pin from said slot into said groove and entry of said lock means into -said groove; said control ring being engageable with said pin upon relative rotation between said members and lateral shifting of Said lock means by said cam means to align the other of said open- 10 ings with said slot to allow movement of said pin from said groove into said slot.

8. In apparatus 'adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopicailly arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; said inner member having a longitudinal slot; control means angularly movable on said inner member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longitudinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means onsaid control means and inner member for limiting angular movement of said control means on said inner member to -a position in which one opening or the other opening is aligned with said slot; a control pin on said outer member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said outer member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control means between said openings engageable with said ylock means to shift said llock means laterally of said outer member to prevent entry of said lock means -into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in on-e direction; means for angularly turning said control means on said inner member to align one of .said openings with said slot `and to allow movement of said pin fromsaid slot into said groove and entry of said lock means into said groove; said control means being engageable with said pin upon relative rotation between said membens and lateral shiiiting of said lock means by said cam means to align the other tto said openings with said slot to allow movement of said pin from said groove into said s-lot.

9. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means yfor securing said inner member to a `tubular string extending .to the top o the well bore; said inner member lhaving a longitudinal slot; a control ring angularly movable on said inner member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said `longitudinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control ring and inner member for limiting langular movement of said control ring on said inner member to a position in which one opening or the other opening is aligned with said slot; a control pin on said outer member movable in said slot, groove .and openings; lock means movable laterally on said outer member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or penmit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on -said control ring betweensaid openings and the ends of said groove enga-geable with said lock means to shift said lock means laterally of said outer member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; means .for angularly turning said control ring on `said inner member to align one of said openings with said slot and to allow movement `of said pin trom said slot into said groove `and entry of Isaid lock means in-to said groove; said Icontrol ring being engageable with said pin upon relative rotation between said members and lateral shifting of said lock means by said cam means to align the other of said openings with said slot to allow movement of said pin lirom said groove .into said slot.

l0. ln apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: rst and second members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one' of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bo-re; said iirst member having a longitudinal slot; control means angula-rly movable on said tir-st member and having an arcuate groove provided with cincumierentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longitudinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control means and fnst member for limiting angular movement of said control means on said first member to a position in which one opening or the other opening is `aligned with said slot; a control element on said second member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said second member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between 4said members; cam means on said control means between said openings engageable with said v`lock means to shift said lock means laterally of said second member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; spring means engaging said first member and control means and constantly urging said control means on said iirst member `toward a position aligning one of said openings with said slot to `allow movement of said control element from said slot into said groove and entry of said lock means into said groove; said cont-rol means being engageable with said control element upon relative rotation between said members and lateral shiftin g of said lock means by said cam means to align the other o said openings with said slot to allow movement of said control element from said groove into said slot.

ll. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore; iirst `and second members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing one of said members to .a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; said iirst member having la longitudinal slot; a control ring langularly movable on said first member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longit-udinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control ring and first member for limiting angular movement of said control ring on said rst member to a position in which one opening or the other openling is aligned with said slot; a control pin on said second member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said second member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on 4said control ring between said openings and the ends of said groove engageable vwith said look means to shift said lock means laterally of said second member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative telescopi-c movement between said members in one direction; spring means `engaging said iirst member and control ring `for angularly turning said control means on said rst member to `align one of said openings with said slot Iand to allow movement of said pin from said slot into said groove and entry o said lock means into said groove; said control ring being engageable with said pin upon relative rotation between said members and lateral shifting of said lock means by said cam means to align the other of said openings with said slot to allow movement of said pin from said groove into said slot.

12. In apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect `to one another; means for securing one of said members to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; said inner member having a longitudinal slot; control means angularly movable on said inner member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longitudinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control means and inner member for limiting angular movement of said control means on said inner member to Ia position in which one opening or the other opening is aligned with said slot; a control pin on said outer member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said outer member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control means between said openings engageable with said lock means to shift said lock means laterally of said outer member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; spring means engaging said inner member and control means for constantly urging said control means on said lirst member ltoward a position to align one of said openings with said slot and to lallow movement of said pin from said slot into said groove and entry of said lock means into said groove; said control means being engageable with said pin upon relative rotation between said members and lateral shifting of said lock means by said cam means to align the other of said openings with said slot to allow movement of said pin from said groove into said slot.

13. ln apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and `outer members telescopically arranged with respect to one another; means for securing said inner member to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; said inner member having a longitudinal slot; a control ring angularly movable on said inner member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longitudinal slot when laligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control ring and inner member for limiting `angular movement of said control ring on said inner member to a position in which one opening or the other opening is aligned with said slot; a control pin on said outer member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said outer member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control ring between said openings .and the ends of said groove engageable with said lock means to shift said lock means laterally of said outer member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative ltelescopic movement between said members in one direction; spring means engaging said inner member and control ring and constantly urging said control ring on said inner member toward a position to align one of said openings with said slot and to allow movement of said pin from said slot into said groove and entry of said lock means into said groove; said control ring being engageable with said pin upon relative rotation between said members and lateral shifting of said lock means by said cam means to align the other or" said openings with said slot to allow movement of said pin from said groove into said slot.

14. tln apparatus adapted to be disposed in a well bore: inner and outer members telescopically arranged with respect -to one another; means for securing said inner member to a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; said inner member having a longitudinal slot; a control ring angularly movable on said inner member and having an arcuate groove provided with circumferentially spaced openings selectively communicable with said longitudinal slot when aligned therewith; coengageable stop means on said control ring and inner member for limiting angular movement of said control ring on said inner member to a position in which one opening or the other opening is aligned with said slot; a control pin on said outer member movable in said slot, groove and openings; lock means movable laterally on said outer member into and out of said groove to selectively prevent or permit telescopic movement between said members; cam means on said control ring between said openings and the ends of said groove engageable with said lock means to shift said lock means laterally of said outer member to prevent entry of said lock means into said groove and to permit relative telescopic movement between said members in one direction; a coil spring encircling said inner member and attached to said control ring and inner member for constantly urging said control ring on said inner member toward a position to align Ione `of `sai-d openings with said -slot and to lallow movement of said pin from said slot into said groove and entry of said lock means into said groove; said control ring being engageable with said pin upon relative rotation between said members and lateral shifting of said lock means by said cam means Ito align the other of said openings lwith said slot to allow movement of said pin from said groove into said slot.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Baker Ian. 14, 1941 Conrad Aug. 26, 1958 Baker Mar. 24, 1959 Osmun et al Feb. 9, 1960 Baker et al Oct. 3, 1961 Muse Mar. 27, 1962 

1. IN APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN A WELL BORE: INNER AND OUTER MEMBERS TELESCOPICALLY ARRANGED WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER; MEANS FOR SECURING ONE OF SAID MEMBERS TO A TUBULAR STRING EXTENDING TO THE TOP OF THE WELL BORE; CONTROL MEANS ANGULARLY MOVABLE ON ONE OF SAID MEMBERS AND HAVING AN ARCUATE GROOVE; LOCK MEANS MOVABLE LATERALLY ON THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS INTO AND OUT OF SAID GROOVE TO SELECTIVELY PREVENT OR PERMIT RELATIVE TELESCOPIC MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS; CAM MEANS ON SAID CONTROL MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LOCK MEANS IN RESPONSE TO RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS TO SHIFT SAID LOCK MEANS LATERALLY TO PREVENT ITS ENTRY INTO SAID GROOVE AND TO PERMIT RELATIVE TELESCOPIC MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS IN ONE DIRECTION; AND MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID CONTROL MEANS ANGULARLY ON SAID ONE OF SAID MEMBERS TO SHIFT SAID CAM MEANS FROM LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID LOCK MEANS TO ALLOW REENTRY OF SAID LOCK MEANS INTO SAID GROOVE UPON RELATIVE TELESCOPIC MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. 